Rocking cradle



J. E. MAUTNER ROCKING CRADLE Nov. 17, 1964 Filed May 28, 1963 INVENTOR.

.74605 E. NAU/MER United States Patent O 3,156,932 RCKlNG CRADLE .iacob E. Meunier, New lilonmonth, NJ., assigner to Allied Doll da loy Corp., Brooklyn, NX., a corporation of New York Filed May 28, 1963, Ser. No. 283,921 20 Claims. (Cl. 5-109) This invention relates to the construction of a power driven rocking cradle suitable for use with dolls and the like.

A demand exists for doll cradles and the like the rocking motion of which is motor driven. Usually the driving motor also actuates a music box which plays a lullaby while the cradle is being rocked. ln the past such cradles have been mounted on a supporting framework, the said supporting framework resting on the floor or table and holding the cradle in a position well above that supporting surface. This type of structure is characterized by several drawbacks. The supporting structure per se adds materially to the cost of the overall product and is usually a fragile structure capable to only a minimal degree of withstanding the stresses and strains to which the device is subjected by its youthful users. The cradle itself is of relatively unconventional appearance, and cannot be used per se as a rocking cradle, nor can it be properly supported on a surface, either in a stationary or rocking manner, independently of the extraneous supporting structure thereof. The driving mechanism is relatively fully exposed to view, detracts from the overall appearance of the assembly, and makes the mechanical nature of the device more or less clearly apparent.

it is the prime object of the present invention to devise a motor driven rocking cradle construction which avoids the above disadvantages. More specifically, it is the prime object of the present invention to devise a motor driven rocking cradle construction which gives the appearance of a standard floor-supported cradle or bassinet, and which may, if desired, be used as such, but which is in fact motor driven so as to rock without the application of any manual force thereto. The arrangement of parts is such, particularly because the cradle per se appears to be hoor-supported, that the automatic rocking thereof appears to come from nowhere, and therefore adds a magical touch to the device which has great sales appeal. Moreover, the construction in question is extremely simple, compact and sturdy, as a result of which the assembly may be made at a low cost and may reliably be expected to withstand rough handling without damage.

To these ends, the cradle body proper is provided with a pair of leg members depending therefrom which have curved bottom ends, these leg members being essentially conventional in appearance insofar as floor-supported cradles or bassinets are concerned. One of these leg members actually serves as a support for the cradle body, its curved bottom end resting on the iloor, table or other supporting surface. The driving motor, which desirably is combined with a music box, is mounted on a support element which is adapted to rest on the supporting surface in a stationary manner. The support element is articulately connected to the other of the leg members and is preferably located adjacent the inner surface of that other leg member, that is to say, the surface facing the first-mentioned leg member. Preferably the leg member which is connected to the support element is maintained by that connection with its curved bottom edge raised slightly above the supporting surface on which the assembly rests, thereby to permit proper freedom of movement of that leg member when the cradle is rocked by the motor, but the degree to which it is raised above the supporting surface is preferably so small as not to be ICC apparent except when subjected to very close scrutiny. A crank or other motion-transmitting mechanism is connected between the driving motor and the cradle body, preferably by being connected directly to the leg member which is secured to the support element, so that as the motor operates, the crank will cause the cradle to rock. The motor may be of the spring-wound mechanical type, provided with a winding key assembly, and that winding key assembly can pass through the mounting means which secures the support element to the appropriate leg member, thereby making the winding key readily accessible. The leg members and the support element may be very inexpensively formed of molded plastic pieces, the leg member to which the support element is secured preferably having a solid side wall and end flanges so as to largely hide the motor from view. lf the motor should fail, the assembly of the cradle body and leg members can be used manually, either with or without the stationary support element, thus avoiding the necessity for discarding the entire assembly in the event of the failure of a portion thereof.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the construction of a motor driven rocking doll cradle assembly as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specication, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FlG. l is a side elevational view of a typical embodiment of the present invention;

FlG. 2 is an end elevationm View, taken in the direction of the line 2-2 of FIG. l, of the motor, support element, and associated leg member, together with the operative connection between that leg member and the motor output, the motor being partially broken away and the leg member being shown in three different angular positions;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and showing the cradle body secured to the leg member;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the leg member of FlG. 2 with the motor in position; and

FlG. 5 is a side elevational view of the other leg member.

The cradle assembly comprises a cradle body generally designated 2 adapted to receive a doll, infant or the like, which body, if desired, may be provided with a hood 4 and .a handle 6. Front and rear leg members generally designated 8 and l@ respectively :are secured to thelower wall of the cradle body 2 so as to depend therefrom. Each of the leg members 8 and lll is provided with a curved bottom end l2 and li respectively, and with a vertical side wall i6' and 18 respectively. The bottom ends 12 and 14 are defined at least in part by flanges 2@ and 22 respectively which continue upwardly into end flanges 24 and 26 respectively. The leg members are further provided with inwardly extending top flanges 2li and 3l) respectively, provided with spaced holes 32 and 34 respectively through which securing screws 36 are adapted to pass. The bottom flange 22 of the leg member l0 is centrally interrupted at 3d. The leg member lil is provided with an inwardly extending tongue 4l) having a central slot 42 the lower edges 44 of which are prefer ably bevelled, as may best be seen from FIG. 2. Each of the leg members S and l@ may be formed in la single piece, as by molding synthetic plastic into proper shape. The leg members 3 and 10 are secured to the under side of the cradle body 2 in spaced apart relationship by means of the screws 36 passing through the openings 32 and 34 and with their curved bottom ends 12 and le lowermost, as is conventional in floor-supported cradles or bassinets.

A support element or shoe generally designated 46 is provided, that support element 46 having a substantially lla-t and wide bottom surface 48, a vertical side wall 5b, and anupwardly facing supporting ledge 52. The driving motor 54, here specifically shown in the form of a combination motor and music boX, is mounted on and secured to the support element 46. As here specifically disclosed, it lrests upon the ledge 52 and is held in place by a metal strap 56 which extends around the periphery thereof and is secured in any appropriate manner to the support ele* ment 46, as by `being fastened to the side wall 5u thereof. Because of the nature of the bottom edge 48 of the support element 46, that support element 46 is adapted to rest upon .and be stationary relative to the supporting surface (floor, table top or the like) upon which the assembly is placed.

The support element 46 is articulately secured to the leg member 1l), preferably adjacent the inner surface thereof (the surface directed toward the other leg member 3) so that it and the motor 54 which it carries are substantially hidden from view. As here specifically disclosed the articulate connection between the support element 46 and the leg member lli is pivotal in nature, and is defined by a hollow rivet or eyelet Sdwhich passes through and is headed over the side wall Sli of the support element 46 and the side wall iS of the leg member 10. That portion of the side wall i8 of the leg member 10 through which the rivet or eyelet 58 passes may be thickened for reinforcement purposes, as indicated at 6u (see FIG. 3).

When, as is here specifically disclosed, the motor 54 is of the spring-wound mechanically driven type, it is provided with a winding key assembly comprising winding shaft 62 to which a winding knob 64 is secured by means of connecting shaft 66, the connecting shaft 66 passing through the hollow rivet or eyelet 53, thus rendering the knob 64 accessible for motor-winding purposes from the outside of the leg member l@ even though the motor 54 is obscured from View and from ready access.

The output shaft 68 of the motor 54 extends up from the top surface thereof and has a crank disc 70 eccentrically mounted thereomthe disc 7i) carrying upwardly extending crank pin 72 which is received within the slot 42 in the tongue 40. The lower surface of the cradle body 2 may be recessed, as at 74 (see FIG. 3), in order to provide clearance for the crank pin 72.

The location of the'connecting rivet or eyelet 58 on the leg member 1li and the support element 46 is such that when the support element 46 has its lower surface 48 resting on the table, lloor or other supporting surface, the bottom end 14 of the leg member lil is posi-tioned slightly above that supporting surface. The bottom end 12 of the leg member 8, however, is adapted to rest upon that supporting surface. The distance that the bottom end 14 of the leg'member 1li is raised above the supporting surface is preferably held to a minimum consistent with the proper rocking movement of the cradle body 2, as described below. This is ordinarily a matter of a small fraction of an inch. Asa result, the cradle appears to be resting upon the bottom ends 12 and 14 of both of the leg members 3 and lll, in conventional fashion, and only very careful scrutiny reveals the contrary.

When the'motor 54 operates, the crank pin 72 swings lin a circle around .the axis of the motor output shaft 63,

and in so doing slides lengthwise yalong the slot 42 and moves the tongue 4t), and with it leg member lll and the cradle body 2, laterally, thus causing the cradle body to rock about the bottom end l2 of the leg member and to pivot about the axis of the rivet or eyelet 58.(see FIG. 2). If, as is here specifically disclosed, the motor 54 forms part of a music box, the rocking movement of the cradle thus produced is accompanied by the sounding of van appropriate tune, such as a lullaby.

The housed and hidden nature of the motor 54 and support element 46 is accentuated by reason of the fact that it is received inside the gap 38 formed in the bottom llange 22 of the leg member 10, the width of that gap being 'sutlicient as shown in FIG. 2, to permit the leg member le to rock from one extreme position to the other without interference.

Because the cradle assembly appears to be conventional, the thus-produced rocking movement gives an impression of vmystery or magic which constitutes la significant source of pleasure and amusement. The effect is heightened by the fact thatV the movement-producing mechanism is hidden from view, and by the playing of an appropriate melody which appears to `come from nowhere.

The parts are all sturdy, and may be readily and inexpensively manufactured on a mass-production basis, the leg members 8 and 10 and the support element 46 being readily fabricated fromsynthetic plastic material by conventional molding techniques. p

The part of the assembly most subject to damage or malfunction is the motor S4. In the case of malfunction thereof, the overall assembly is still usable. The motor 54 may be rendered inoperative, either by removing it from the support element 46 or by removing the crank disc 7th from the motor output shaft 63, after which the assembly can still be used as a manually rocked cradle. In addition, if desired, the support element 46 may be removed, thus converting the assembly into a truly conventional Hoor-supported manually rockable cradle 0r bassinet.

While but a single embodiment of the present invention has been here specically disclosed, it will be api parent that many variations may be made therein, all within the scopeof the instant invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rocking doll cradle comprising a cradle body and a pair of leg members depending therefromk to comprise a rst assembly, one of said leg members having a curved bottom end and being adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a stationary support element adapted to rest on said supporting surface, a motor secured to said support element, said motor and said support element comprising a second assembly, means articulately connecting said second assembly to said first assembly and supporting said first assembly relative to said second assembly independently of said supporting surface, and an operative connection between said motor and said first assembly for causing the latter to articulate relative to said support member and thereby causing said cradle to rock, said operative connection being separate from said articulate connecting means.

2. The rocking doll cradle of claim 1, in which said motor has awinding mechanism including a winding key assembly, said articulate connecting means being hollow and said winding key assembly passing therethrough.

3. The rocking doll cradle of .claim 2, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

4. The rocking doll cradle of claim 2, in which the other of said leg members has la curved bottom end, is similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

5. The rocking doll cradleof claim 1, in which said motor is located inside of the other of said leg members and has a winding mechanism including a winding key assembly, said articulate connecting'means being hollow and said winding key assembly passing therethrough to the outside ofsaid other leg member.

6. The rocking doll cradle of claim 5, in which the Y other of said leg members vhas a curved bottom end, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

7. The rocking doll cradle of claim 5, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end, is

similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

8. The rocking doll cradle of claim 1, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

9. The rocking doll cradle of claim 1, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end, is similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

10. A rocking doll cradle comprising a cradle body and a pair of leg members depending therefrom to comprise a first assembly, one of said leg members having a curved bottom end and being adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a stationary support element adapted to rest on said supporting surface, a motor xedly secured to said support element, said motor and said support element comprising a second assembly, means pivotally connecting said second assembly to the other of said leg members, said means supporting said rst assembly relative to said second assembly independently of said supporting surface, and an operative connection between said motor and said rst assembly for causing the latter to pivot relative to said support member and thereby causing said cradle to rock said operative connection being separate from said pivotal connecting means.

1l. The rocking doll cradle of .claim 10, in which said motor has a Winding mechanism including a winding key assembly, said pivotal connecting means being hollow and said winding key assembly passing therethrough.

l2. The rocking doll cradle of claim l1, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

13. The rocking doll cradle of claim l1, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end, is similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

14. The rocking doll cradle of claim 10, in which said motor is located inside of the other of said leg members and has a winding mechanism including a Winding key assembly, said pivotal connecting means being hollow and said winding key assembly passing therethrough to the outside of said other leg member.

15. The rocking doll cradle of claim 14, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

16. The rocking doll cradle of .claim 14, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end, is similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is 6 supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

i7. The rocking doll cradle of claim 10, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end` and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

18. The rocking doll cradle of claim 10, in which the other of said leg members has a curved bottom end, is similar in shape and size to said one leg member, and is supported by said support element with its bottom end raised slightly above said supporting surface.

19. A rocking doll cradle comprising a cradle body, a pair of leg members depending therefrom, said leg members being similar in shape and size to one another and each comprising a vertical side wall and a curved bottom end, the bottom end of one of said leg members being adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a support element having a substantially flat bottom end adapted to rest on said supporting surface in a stationary manner, means pivotally connecting said support element to the side wall ofthe other of said leg members, a motor mounted on said support element, a crank driven by said motor, and an operative connection between said crank and said cradle for causing said cradle to rock relative to said supporting surface while said support element and said motor are stationary relative to said supporting surface, said pivotal connecting means being separate from said operative connection.

20. A rocking doll cradle comprising a cradle body, a pair of leg members depending therefrom, said leg members being similar in shape and size to one another and each comprising a vertical side Wall and a curved bottom end, the bottom end of one of said leg members being adapted to rest on a supporting surface, a support element having a substantially hat bottom and adapted to rest on said supporting surface in a stationary manner, means piovtally connecting said support element to the side Wall of the other of said leg members in a position facing said one leg member, a motor mounted on said support element, a crank driven by said motor, and an operative connection between said crank and said cradle for causing said cradle to rock relative to said supporting surface while said support element and said motor are stationary relative to said supporting surface, said pivotal connecting means being separate from said operative connection.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,179 Perotti Jan. 3, 1905 1,420,582 Shea June 20, 1922 1,604,551 Cesare Oct. 26, 1926 FOREIGN PATENTS 38,464 Germany Feb. 4, 1887 

1. A ROCKING DOLL CRADLE COMPRISING A CRADLE BODY AND A PAIR OF LEG MEMBERS DEPENDING THEREFROM TO COMPRISE A FIRST ASSEMBLY, ONE OF SAID LEG MEMBERS HAVING A CURVED BOTTOM END AND BEING ADAPTED TO REST ON A SUPPORTING SURFACE, A STATIONARY SUPPORT ELEMENT ADAPTED TO REST ON SAID SUPPORTING SURFACE, A MOTOR SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT, SAID MOTOR AND SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT COMPRISING A SECOND ASSEMBLY, MEANS ARTICULATELY CONNECTING SAID SECOND ASSEMBLY TO SAID FIRST ASSEMBLY AND SUPPORTING SAID FIRST ASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND ASSEMBLY INDEPEND- 